Damon Evans on UGA football: ‘I do have some concerns’
Damon Evans in a lighter moment at the Cobb Galleria. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Georgia athletics director Damon Evans said today via e-mail that he does “have some concerns” about the state of his football program. Responding to an e-mail asking for his feelings regarding the Bulldogs’ season — they’re 3-3 for the first time since 1996 — Evans offered this:
“I do have some concerns about where we are at this point of the season. I know Coach [Mark] Richt, the assistant coaches, the players and our fans have the same concerns with our current record and the way we’ve been playing.
“Coach Richt and I have talked just as we do periodically throughout the season. I think his focus right now is on the immediate future, which is the Vanderbilt game and doing everything possible to prepare our team. That’s where it needs to be.
“Beyond that, I have total confidence that Coach Richt will properly evaluate our team, address concerns and prepare the right path that will direct us back into the position we all want to be in — competing for championships.”
As statements go, Evans’ would seem both pointed and nuanced. He didn’t pretend to happy with current events, but he didn’t issue a directive for immediate “significant improvement.” (Vince Dooley, Evans’ predecessor, did that with Ray Goff back in 1995, which turned out to be Goff’s last season as coach.)
If you’re Mark Richt, Evans just said what you want to hear: That his boss has “total confidence” in him. But if you’re a Georgia fan, Evans just said what you want to hear as well: That certain “concerns” might need to be addressed and, put simply, that the University of Georgia expects more from its football team.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
593 comments Add your comment
New Coaches
October 12th, 2009
6:46 pm
MARK, i just saw your post…
If UGA is a finesse team in a power league and I can only guess that this is Richt’s vision…is Richt better suited for a finesse league…like the ACC?
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 12th, 2009
6:46 pm
Also Mark, Damon’s timing was right.
RedPantsDawg
October 12th, 2009
6:46 pm
Damon Evans master of telling everyone what they want to hear.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:47 pm
Well, Richt has won the SEC twice. But he hasn’t won it since 2005.
UGA Student Bored In a Midterm Review Session...
October 12th, 2009
6:47 pm
Question…
How is it that hiring new coordinators midseason will not help? How is it beneficial to keep the young guys under the direction of coaches who are on the chopping block. The sooner they get more qualified coordinators coaching them, the better. It’s a waste to keep them under failed coordinators
Btw Mark, thanks for this column. Reference my post name and you’ll know why haha
dawghouse1011 -Athens
October 12th, 2009
6:47 pm
its not that we are 3-3 ..its that we looked so BAD!! We look unmotivated and not prepared!!
Mike T.
October 12th, 2009
6:48 pm
He’s one of the elite coaches in America
Now, Willie Martinez and Mike Bobo are different stories.
Hey Herschel,
I appreciate all those TD’s but look ahere.
If he is one of the truly elite coaches in the USA,why is it taking so long for
him to pull the plug on Willie and Bobo?Even a good Little League coach knows
if you need to make an assistant change,you do it for the good of the team,let alone
when your getting paid to do it and his lack of performance can jeapordize your own job.
The problems just didn’t start after Saturday’s debacle. Call’s for Wille job are over two
years old. Richt needs to act.
Huck
October 12th, 2009
6:48 pm
Thank goodness some of Georgia’s bandwagon fans don’t have any real authority—most of the respondents on this blog probably do not even contribute money to teh athletic program or buy season tickets…..and if the internet had been around in the 70s Hall of Fame Coach Vince Dooley would have been crucified…..crucified…..on the blogs. Richt is a quality person and a proven commodity. His record at this stage of his career far surpasses—far surpasses…Coach Dooley’s. Georgia is down…..Georgia lost two first round draft picks and her top three offensive weapons….Yes, I think changes need to be made….and I think they will–at the proper time. The middle of the season is not the proper time and the rantings of illogical fanatics on the internet is not the proper impetus. This time next year Georgia will be undefeated and ranked among the elite—just as they have been for MOST OF THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. Chill and let the people who are paid to make rational decisions do their jobs.
Say What?
October 12th, 2009
6:49 pm
Jeremy, why would Charlie Strong leave the elite championship program like Florida Gators, go to a lousy team like Georgia? Why?
Super Dog
October 12th, 2009
6:49 pm
I stated several weeks ago that we would be lucky to have any wins when we faced LSU TENN And FL
Any team that has a QB that can connect downfield and has a decent defense would and will destroy us.
We were lucky LSU’s QB is not that good and will not be
Georgia needs to go to Van Gorder sign a blank check and have him fill it out and ask forgivness for allowing Martinez to run him out of town.
Yes he will come if the money is right and Ga has twice the money the Falcons have people
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:49 pm
I appreciate your concern, UGA Student …, but here’s the thing: It’s not as if someone else on this staff is going to put in a new offensive or defensive system overnight. They’d still be coaching the same things.
Awwwwshucks
October 12th, 2009
6:49 pm
If we recruit top ten talent year in and year out, why do we only rank in the top 10 in most penalties? We don’t have a top ten O, a top ten D, a top ten anything positive. I’ve felt like this for years now. We lost something a few years back. I don’t know what it is, but when guys like Odell Thurman were running around on D, the Dogs were scary. Now we scare nobody. We play zone. Who plays zone with our talent?
Mike T.
October 12th, 2009
6:50 pm
dawghouse1011 -Athens
You summed it up good.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:50 pm
I agree, Dawghouse. Georgia has lost two road games and to a Top 5 team at home. The record isn’t nearly as bad as the Bulldogs have looked.
savannahdawg
October 12th, 2009
6:51 pm
let everyone not forget the good performances both the offense and defense have had this season. The talk of lack of athletes is not accurate, UGA has athletes. The problem lies in lack of emotion from the top down, players feed off their coaches emotion and they have none. Also, the inability to adjust the game plan in all aspects falls on the head coach, just like the CEO in the corporate world. Hopefully, cmr will make the right decisions for the program. GREAT programs simply do not let other teams score this amount of points this often, no other way to put that. The head coach will(should) not tolerate that.
Dawghater
October 12th, 2009
6:51 pm
Mark,
Don’t you think college football fans have expectations that are unrealistic. Look over the last 15 years. Very few programs maintain total consistency. UGA isn’t and has yet to show it’s a National contender. Just a fact. They’ve won one Nat’l title ever! And now all the Dawg fans seem to think they should win 10 games every year. Good luck with that! I will make you fire good coaches and hire bad one. Hey, Glenn Mason where are you! UGA may be calling again.
Tony
October 12th, 2009
6:51 pm
I am not a Bulldog fan, but I think that the team will change the course and that the fans have gotten a little spoiled. This is just a course that they will weather and I believe that they have the right head coach to get the job done and straighten this thing out
Top Dawg
October 12th, 2009
6:52 pm
Mark: Do you think Kirby Smart would leave Nick Saban at Bammer to come over to UGA? I read above that you think that would be UGA’s first choice, and I agree. I think it would be a great move for both UGA and Kirby. I just don’t know that he would leave for anything except a head coaching job. But like I said, I don’t know.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:53 pm
I think it’s unrealistic to expect to win every game. I don’t think it’s unrealistic for Georgia fans to expect to see a well coached team on display in every game.
Dawginheat
October 12th, 2009
6:53 pm
Mark,
In all seriousness, after Kirby Smart, who would you think would be on the short list for a new DC? I watched Bama Sat. and agree that Saban is running the show. Is there any chance of keeping Rodney Garner if someone else is brought in? Is Jancek or injuries the problem at LB?
HH
October 12th, 2009
6:53 pm
Talk is cheap, from Damon Evans or anyone else at this point. The only thing that counts is what transpires with Willy & Bobo & the other incompetents at the end of the season. I, for one, will be interested to see what, if anything, substantive happens, other then talk. At this point I would not bet.
UGA Student Bored In a Midterm Review Session...
October 12th, 2009
6:54 pm
However, it seems as though new coordinators would get back to the basics and teach these guys fundamentals… a concept Bobo and Martinez seem to just ignore. These players should be well vested in fundamentals when they get here but either they are lacking or they are simply not having them reinforced in practice. Fundamentals need to be taught
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:54 pm
I don’t think there are many places Smart would go and still be an assistant, but Georgia might be one.
Say What?
October 12th, 2009
6:55 pm
herschel that tebow kid going to break your rushing td record. does it bother you that it’s a gator that’s going to break your record?
Mike T.
October 12th, 2009
6:55 pm
It’s not as if someone else on this staff is going to put in a new offensive or defensive system overnight.
your right and i think that’s what alot of folks are upset about, is after all the calls last year
for Willie’s job, nothing was done, and now we are in a position of having to wait,before
any CHANCE of something getting done about it.
BigDogBigPorch
October 12th, 2009
6:56 pm
Evans and his inflated ego should be the one to say I need to change. This scheduling of cross country games and then return to play a SEC games takes a toll on our players. And does Florida suffer from their pasties the first two games. NO! But we have to have name recognition. Even Notre Dame dumbed their schedule down to qualify for the BCS bowl.
Evan needs to get off his throne.
Old South Dawg
October 12th, 2009
6:56 pm
First of all let me say Coach Richt I am sorry for some of the foolish comments about looking for a new Head Coach your are the Man!! And GA is lucky to have you. They do not make Coaches or for that matter Men like you everyday. With that said, We must Have a change at DC he has had his chance and its not working as we all know by now. I feel for you and all of us I know every Dawg is upset right now and
with good reason. I though would love to see Kirby Smart here he would be a Great fit,Once a Dawg always a Dawg!! or coach Van Gorder if we could get him also would be nice but not sure he would leave.
I know you willdo the right thing and thank you for being our coach. GO DAWGS
Smyrna Man
October 12th, 2009
6:56 pm
Beatings will continue until morale improves…
Signed
Lane Kiffin
PS: I told you so
Jeremy
October 12th, 2009
6:58 pm
So no one wants to address any of the points I made about coaching in the SEC? Check my post above..Mark? Am I speaking too much truth here? Please Dawg fans help me to understand why Richt needs to stay?
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:58 pm
I disagree. I think Georgia’s schedule needed toughening. If Tennessee can go play UCLA and Cal, Georgia can go play Oklahoma State and Arizona State.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 12th, 2009
6:58 pm
Mark,
For the first time I emailed Mr. Evans yesterday morning. I support CMR, but something w/ in the program needs to be addressed. It sounds as if Mr. Evans is listening to the sound of the UGA faithful. Thank you Mr. Evans.
Top Dawg
October 12th, 2009
6:59 pm
Mark:
Kirby Smart is originally from Bainbridge. Then, when he was playing for UGA, his parents moved to north Georgia. I heard that that was partly to be closer to Kirby. His dad is, or was, a high school coach (football, I think). He may be retired now. Are they still somewhat near Athens?
Thanks, and it’s always great to read your columns and blog with you, dude.
Bruce Jones
October 12th, 2009
6:59 pm
What about Strength and Conditioning? According the that wealth of knowledge Buck Belue, we work more on agility than strenght.
Bruce Jones
October 12th, 2009
7:00 pm
Make that strength.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
7:01 pm
I can’t see firing a coach who has won two SEC titles to hire a career assistant, Jeremy.
UGA Student Bored In a Midterm Review Session...
October 12th, 2009
7:01 pm
Seems like they’re trying to emulate UF’s emphasis of speed and agility vs. brute strength. Thing
GatornDc
October 12th, 2009
7:02 pm
Mark – Successful NFL coaches do not go to College Football. Their philosophy in taking few chances, etc does not bode well in college football (yes, Pete Carroll is an exception)
That said, Gruden should never get hired anywhere. He is known not to have any integrity and for all practical purposes is a j… a..
Bill Cowher goes to coach Panthers…
Tombo
October 12th, 2009
7:03 pm
Mark,
I don’t think the issue that is frustrating fans are CMR’s actions, but rather the apparent inaction concerning issues…especially those carrying over from last year. UGA generally had poor kick coverage, penalties or defense last year and it appears to have carried over into this year. That strikes fans as lack of coaching. Paul Johnson at least made the effort to change the defense after it got whacked by Miami…still a work in progress…but his action at least told fans we know it is broken and we’re trying to fix it. Although CMR may indeed be making changes behind the scenes, the fans see no change. If he takes actions to correct the problems (scheme and execution), whether successful or not, it will help quell the uproar.
Robert
October 12th, 2009
7:03 pm
UGA can’t be 10-2 every year, or 12-0. I think Mark R. has proven to be a winner. Too much talent in the state of GA for him not to bounce back.
MikkUGA
October 12th, 2009
7:05 pm
Richt is not the problem. The talent is not the problem. People do understand that Richt has the 4th best active winning percentage. They are also the only college team in the NCAA to have a top 10 recruiting class every year since they started tracking the rankings in 2002…..The Only Team. CWM was not good to begin with and has gradually got worse. Bobo is on the same path with consistently calling the same play over and over. He has done it many times this year in multiple games. Georgia needs to make changes at DC and OC, they have needed to do it for sometime. Many of the fans have seen this for awhile now and maybe the one good thing about this last weekend is now maybe it will happen.
Top Dawg
October 12th, 2009
7:05 pm
Robert (7:03 p.m.)- Yes they can, and they should.
New Coaches
October 12th, 2009
7:06 pm
MARK, one last question about power v. finesse. Yes, Richt hasn’t won the SEC since ‘05, but if it takes a ‘power’ team to win, can one reasonably expect Richt to change his philosophy? Especially given his Miami and FLA State lineage, which I think fell more on the side of ‘finesse’, especially the offense, which is his forte’.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
7:06 pm
According to Don Kausler Jr. on Al.com, Kirby Smart’s father has a second home in Rabun County.
Dennis G. Berdanis
October 12th, 2009
7:06 pm
Why the heck would anyone want Richt replaced with Brian Van Gorder? If we could rehire BVG as DC, sure. But he was what 3-8 at Ga Southern his last year? That’s who you want as head coach. I’ll stick with Richt anyday. I’ve been a UGA fan since I first saw them whip Ole Miss in 1968 and I’ve never seen a stretch where we had as many great seasons in a 9 year stretch. I’m not ready to dump Richt even if we dip below .500 for one year. Dooley went 5-6 in 77 and in 1980 went 12-0. Good thing we didn’t dump him for one bad year.
Say What?
October 12th, 2009
7:06 pm
Robert- uga has the talent yes, coaching staff don’t how to coach the talent or what to do with the talent. that’s the problem.
Frogger
October 12th, 2009
7:07 pm
The only way Richt should be fired is if he doesn’t let WM go at the end of this season. As far as Bobo goes, no offense can accomplish much if the line don’t make any holes for the RB’s to go through. New leadership on the D and a better O line will lead to future success.
If Mark Richt does depart then I agree that Chris Peterson from Boise State is the best man for the job.
savannahdawg
October 12th, 2009
7:07 pm
Van Gorder used to be the enforcer, like Muschamp is at Texas. Great d coordinators tackle their studs when they make great plays and they lay into players that commit stupid penalties and miss tackles. CWM has not done this enough. Muschamp has his players respect. CMR needs to find someone that is not afraid to cuss when it’s needed, because it has obviously been needed.
BILLY JACK
October 12th, 2009
7:07 pm
Mark Richt will be our coach for 20 more years-3 def assistants have a few more months-if things dont improve fast we will be playing in one of those bowl games that tech used to play in all the time.Remember-it was always played in early dec-in a empty stadium-in the afternoon.
GT - '93
October 12th, 2009
7:08 pm
He’s going to have more than “concerns” after his visit to Bobby Dodd this Thanksgiving.
Goooo Jackets!
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
7:08 pm
That’s a good question, New Coaches. I do think Richt’s team played more forcefully in 2002 — running the ball with Musa Smith and playing defense under VanGorder — than they do now, though.